News Release

27th January 2011

Workplace dispute reforms proposed by Government

The Government, as part of its comprehensive review of the Employment Laws, has announced a new consultation to improve the way in which workplace disputes are resolved. This forms part of the Employer's Charter, which aims to provide businesses with more confidence to take on workers by clarifying what steps they can take when handling workplace issues with staff.

Please click on this link to view the Employer's Charter.

Prime Minister David Cameron Said:

"Today's announcements on reforms to employment law are among the first conclusions of our government-wide growth review, and highlight our determination to ensure that employment law is no longer seen as a barrier to growth, while making sure that employees and employers are treated fairly.

"Giving businesses the confidence to take on somebody new will be a real boost to the economy, and help generate the sustainable growth we need."


The Civil Mediation Council (CMC), is delighted with the Government's announcement of its plan to reform the way workplace disputes are handled and believes it will make a major contribution in promoting growth in the UK as a whole. The CMC, established in 2004, has been promoting mediation in resolving disputes in the workplace for the last two years. The business case suggest that conflict at work costs the UK economy at least £24billion a year. Without structural reforms in place, this is likely to continue as workplace disputes are growing across all sectors, with redundancy, breach of contract and unfair dismissal disputes
representing the highest growth.


The Government is seeking views on measures to;


1.        Achieve more early resolution of workplace disputes so that parties can resolve their own problems, in a way that is fair and equitable for both sides, without having to go to an employment tribunal.

2.        Ensure that, where parties do need to come to an employment tribunal, the process is as swift, user-friendly and effective as possible.

3.        Help businesses and social enterprise feel more confident about hiring people

The Government wants to hear views and opinios on the Employer's Charter and engage in further discussion.


The CMC will also be engaging with its members to seek views to form part of our response to the Consultation. More details about this will follow.


Links: Detail of reform plans

BIS Press Release